A Petition To Stop Mark Driscoll From Speaking At Liberty University

April 9, 2012

First of all let me just say this is ridiculous. On the one hand you have that bastion of ignorance and fundamentalism, Liberty University, founded by one of the most bigoted idiotic men of the twentieth century, Jerry Falwell; and on the other, the cult like stylings and stupidity of Mark Driscoll. So there’s really no where to go but down.

Want to know Driscoll’s views on sex and husbandly authority? Vorjack from Unreasonable Faith sums it up quite nicely

Driscoll is a big fan of sex, so long as it’s heterosexual married sex and the women folk remember to be responsive, submissive and don’t get any ideas above their God appointed station.

He’s a patriarch. Respect his authority and he’s fine. Reject his authority – by, for example, having differing opinions – and he’ll f’ck you up.

Yep… unfortunately that’s pretty much it.

But this story gets stranger. There is also a blogger who goes by the handle Sophia at Mars Hill Refuge, which is a blog for recovering members of Mars Hill who has started an online petition to keep Driscoll from LU.

So to raise curiosity about a problem (emotional and spiritual devastation coming out of Mars Hill church) that we have seen for years in our community and now spreading nationwide as Driscoll’s fame and Acts 29 church network grows, we need to spark curiosity about what is happening behind the scenes. If demand is created then news outlets will cover these devastating stories of people who were once on the inner circle of Mars Hill church. Since Driscoll is a national bestseller and getting lots of media attention we decided to petition Liberty University to rescind their invite for Driscoll to speak on their campus on April 20th. We think that would get the conservatives and fundamentalists engaged as well. Once the truth is brought to light then healing can begin, as any survivor will tell you.

How would your founder Jerry Falwell respond to a preacher who taught this in his writing and speaking?

“In conjunction with the rhythm method of birth control, it is possible to use anal sex as an option.” [1] Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship and Life Together by Mark and Grace Driscoll, p 186

How would Jerry Falwell respond? I’m guessing if he wasn’t already dead that sentence alone would have killed him!

But, unfortunately, there is more. Sophia also dropped Driscoll’s views on oral sex

“Jesus Christ commands you to [perform oral sex on your husband]….What I would say to you as well, ladies, I probably shouldn’t, that most of your husbands wake up in the morning with an erection, and so rather than setting the alarm, if this was the way that you helped to awaken them, they would have a great day. Amen? I’m actually saying these things. Some of you are sitting here going, “Is this happening? Is this really happening?” Yes it is. [Laughter from audience.]…And he says that, “Your vagina is a garden.” It has wonderful smells and it has wonderful tastes. It’s a garden. . . . He talks about how much he loves her vagina. Many women feel awkward about this. The husband needs to tell the wife, “It’s beautiful. It tastes well. It smells well. You keep yourself well. I enjoy it. It’s a garden to me.” [2] Mark Driscoll – “Sex, a Study of the Good Bits from Song of Solomon” preached in Edinburgh, Scotland on a Sunday morning [at a 12:00 service] on November 18, 2007 http://www.destinyedinburgh.com/Sermons/Sex,_a_study_of_the_good_bits_from_Song_of_Solomon.aspx

Hmmmm… the blowjob alarm clock? Driscoll might be on to something here…

Anyways, if this story is not already the most ridiculous thing you could read today–misogynistic Mark going Liberty U to teach on marriage, I mean, that just about makes my brain break at the lunacy–there is yet another wrinkle.

Another blogger, Peter Lumpkins attempted to stir the pot by “reporting” that the board of trustees had decided Driscoll was not welcome

Sources say trustees took a vote, and the vote was unanimous indicating that Mark Driscoll is not welcome at Liberty University. In addition to Driscoll’s “potty mouth” approach to pulpit etiquette playing a role in their decision, his “Reformed” theology, Acts 29 Network, and the provocative hedonistic understanding of a___ s__ came up as well … Trustees were apparently flabbergasted that Driscoll was considered for an invitation in the first place.

When someone can’t write the words “anal sex” in a report I think we know what kind of mindset we’re dealing with. Furthermore, it appears that Lumpkins entire “report” was anal excretions!

On April 4, 2012, a Southern Baptist blogger, Peter Lumpkins, wrote an innacurate account of Liberty’s recent Board of Trustees meeting as it relates to the university’s invitation to Mark Driscoll to speak in Convocation. Lumpkin’s recent blog contains information that is defamatory and portrays Liberty University in a false light.

The Board of Trustees of Liberty University did not vote unanimously that Mark Driscoll is not welcome on campus, as the blog states, and, in fact, Mark Driscoll is still scheduled to speak in Convocation at Liberty University on April 20, 2012.

So there you have it, and like I said it could only go downhill… a veritable Rabbit’s hole of stupidity involving Driscoll, LU, Christian bloggers, and ridiculous petitions. Driscoll is not scheduled to be at LU until April 20th. My guess is that we will see some more shenanigans before that date comes.

Like this:

Related

One time after she had a baby, his wife got a shorter haircut so it would be easier to manage, since, you know, she had to do all the child-rearing. What a bitch! He told her how sinful that was and set her straight. We need this man!

Thanks for the love Scott, it radiates from your post :) I just climbed out the Rabbit hole of stupidity and thought I would clear up your fabulously spun post to make you look superior and me look like an idiot.
I think it is interesting that you did not include my motivation and the first paragraph in your quote:

“What if we could prevent the stories? What if we put action behind our words and opinions? What if a greater number of people were aware of what is being taught by Pastor Mark?

I am sure that some will judge my heart and call me bitter. That is a risk I am willing to take. Why? Because I have nieces and nephews who almost started attending Mars Hill a few weeks ago. But they didn’t because my brother told them about this blog. In my opinion, we have a responsibility. A group of us have gotten together to form “Sophia’s Voice”.

Here is our strategy: I met with social justice groups over the past week after news outlets have failed to pick up any of the spiritual abuse stories coming out of Mars Hill church. It’s troubling how Driscoll has a bestselling book on godly marriage while at the same time alarming stories from behind the scenes of his church have been coming out on sites like Jesus Needs New PR and Joyful Exiles, and Mars Hill Refuge. We’ve emailed major papers and news sites to ask them to spotlight the testimonies of insider experiences coming out of Mars Hill, andl the only one who would pick up the story was The Stranger. Not Christianity Today, not any of the Times type papers – no one.”
For clarity’s sake, I did not personally write the petition, but agreed to be the front person to take criticism like yours…I am not the only person behind the petition, it is a group. I am interested though, if you were going to actually put your boots on the ground and do something in regards to Mark Driscoll, what would you do? Has anyone listened to the many voices who have been saying the things you’ve said? I personally do not want to be someone who sits and comments about Mark Driscoll and does nothing while more people are affected.

Honestly, I really don’t mind the criticism, I am getting used to it. In the future though, if blogging about me at least represent my heart and intent fairly. I mean, we are all on the same team last time I checked.

Thanks for dropping by. This story is ridiculous because it involves Driscoll and anyone, anywhere wanting him to ‘teach’ on something. That it involves the Puritans from LU makes it all the more ridiculous.

As to your particlur involvement: I have absolutely no problem with what you are doing. In fact, I’m sure that it drives a bully like Mark crazy. He is a bully with a bully-platform and cannot stand to be disagreed with. So: well done there.

My point, even if it did not come through clearly in my bad writing, is that there are so, so many things to criticize Mark about–so many things!–but in the middle of a conversation about him ‘teaching’ his mysoginistic views on marriage at Puritan central we are talking about anal sex and blow jobs.

Come on. You have to admit when we are talking about ‘pastor’ Mark, Liberty University, anal sex, and blow jobs in the same conversation we have entered a special corner of silly land.

And if you want to know how I feel about Driscoll just search his name in the search bar on the top right… I think you’ll find we are on the same team.